TERENA

TERENA (Trans-European Research and Education Networking Association) is a not-for-profit association of European NRENs (National Research andEducation Networks). It was formed in October 1994 through the merger of RARE (Réseaux Associés pour la Recherche Européenne) and EARN (European Academic and Research Network), and is incorporated in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The objectives of TERENA are to promote and develop high-quality international network infrastructures to support European research and education. This is undertaken in several ways...

* by investigating, evaluating and deploying new networking technologies;
* by supporting new networking services where appropriate;
* through knowledge transfer in the shape of conferences, seminars and training events;
* by advising governments and other authorities on networking issues;
* liaising with networking organisations in other parts of the world.

Full membership of TERENA is open to NRENs (one per country or territory as defined by the ITU) and international public sector organisations. Associate membership is available for other organisations (commercial or otherwise) with an interest in research and education networking. A complete list of the current members can be found on the TERENA website.

TERENA runs an annual conference for academic networkers, the TERENA Networking Conference (TNC).

Other similar organisations elsewhere in the world include Internet2, APAN (Asia-Pacific Advanced Network) and CLARA (Cooperación Latino Americana de Redes Avanzandas). In addition, DANTE operates the pan-European research and education backbone network.

External links

* [http://www.terena.org/ TERENA website]